Licking Heights West Elementary School first grade teacher Vicki Willett was recently recognized with a prestigious national award for science and math instruction.

Willett was granted the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), awarded to kindergarten through sixth-grade teachers this year for their “dedication to improving STEM education.”

Willett likened the recognition to the educational equivalent of receiving “The Heisman Trophy,” as she put it.

Willett, who has been teaching within the district for about 16 years, said during a recent phone interview, “I feel for teachers, this is an ultimate award. It’s validation of everything we do, not just me. I couldn’t be the teacher I am without the team I have with me and the administrative support I have. Teachers don’t always get the recognition they deserve and this is, in my mind, one of the big recognitions.

“Yes, I received this award, which was amazing,” Willett continued, “but it’s because of the people I work with. It’s not just me. Every year, the state has finalists. In 2016, there were three of us. I know one of the three (other finalists), and she’s the teacher I want to be. Even though it has my name on it, I think the PAEMST group is recognizing all teachers.”

As it happens, science was a passion that took hold later in her life, Willett said.

“I am a member of a very science family, of which one member was not, and that was me. I hated, despised science as a kid. Then, when I saw that passion in my own children and in my husband, I decided if maybe I taught kids not to be afraid of it like I was, maybe they would enjoy it, too. Because we really need especially little kids to love science – to love science technology, engineering and math – because that is where a lot of the future is, so we really, really need it.”

Describing her own approach to teaching science, she explained, “I let the kids take ownership in what they’re doing, which is what the state is pushing – the inquiry. Kids learn by doing, not by being told something. I try to do a lot of hands-on activities that can go a lot of different ways.

She continued, “For example, what does a seed need to grow? One of my little girls said, 'I think it will grow better if you talk to it.' She wanted to plant a seed and talk to one and not talk to the other, to see which would grow better.”

According to a Licking Heights Local Schools news release, “Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers can receive from the U.S. government… Nominees complete a rigorous application process that requires them to demonstrate their excellence in content knowledge and ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments.”

Licking Heights Board of Education President Richard Wand nominated Willett for the recognition, she said.